Walking with a purpose in Hollywood

Noah Ramer had his colon removed two weeks before the recent Take Steps Walk for Crohn's & Colitis in Hollywood.

Noah, 13, who was the walk's honored hero, still had a message to deliver via video from the ICU.

"He genuinely wanted to reach out, especially to other kids suffering from inflammatory bowel disease, and tell them they're not alone and they can get past it," said Marc Ramer, Noah's father, who like his son has ulcerative colitis. Marc Ramer's father and mother-in-law also have the disease, and some cousins haveCrohn's disease.

The fifth annual walk, staged at Young Circle, drew more than 800 participants and raised $170,000, said Jennifer Baker, walk manager for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America.

CCFA's mission is to cureCrohn's diseaseand ulcerative colitis and to improve the quality of life of those who suffer from these diseases.

Noah, a seventh-grader at AEF Preparatory School in Davie, was recovering from emergency surgery he had four days after colon removal surgery (he developed a post-op infection that led to peritonitis). Today, he is doing well and in good spirits, his father said.

Wendy Goldman and her family also were involved with the Take Steps Walk. They raised $16,000 this year and $70,000 total for the four years they have been involved.

Goldman became active to help find a cure for ulcerative colitis, which her 11-year-old son, Jacob, suffered from until he had his colon removed in July.

"I got involved because I was desperate to find a cure for my son. … I felt helpless. The only thing my husband and I could do was help raise money for research to find a cure," she said.

Craig Konhauzer, the foundation's Florida chapter president, said the group has raised $385,000 from this year's Miami, Orlando and Hollywood walks.

"Despite the rain, thousands of walkers showed up to our walks wearing their team T-shirts, shaking their maracas and taking steps to cure Crohn's and ulcerative colitis," Konhauzer said.

Not only do the walks raise money for needed research, but they also raise awareness about the foundation and what it offers, Konhauzer said.

"This walk is important because it brings awareness to diseases that are often not talked about," Goldman said. "Many people have never heard of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The walk is also important for people who have these diseases to come together and realize they are not alone."